Money must be registered before goods wrapped!

I love old things, they fascinate me! I spotted the ancient cash register here down a lane in the city. The innards of these old machines are not usually laid bare like this making it all the more interesting. If you pull the shot in you can see it is covered in cobwebs a complicated piece of machinery, it even has an 'on sale' button. I know there are a few readers of the blog who are extremely knowledgeable re old machines like this.. any ideas on it's date of birth? Can you just imagine the horror if anyone working the cash registers today were presented with a working model of the above :) Happy Wednesday, take care and stay safe..

The Grumpy Sailor..

Could you even get a better name for a cafe in a port city! Been meaning to visit The Grumpy Sailor for ages but was looking in the wrong place.. they moved location, found them eventually! Now in the Paddy Troy Mall in Fremantle City the Grumpy Sailor is a super relaxed cafe, good food, excellent coffee and if only I had known, bring a book, swap a book.. next time! The crazy-eyed dog having it's way with the table number made me smile, also the evil-eyed octopus waiting to engulf it's next victim. Another thing I will do next time is buy their tee shirt because I oft feel like a grumpy sailor 😒 Happy Tuesday, take care and stay safe..

Beauty...

... and

... the beast! Spotted the last time we were in Fremantle. Fremantle, the 'city of artists' has so much incroyable street art with many people now choosing to adorn their own private property. The mural here caused a bit of negative reaction from some of the locals. Although initially it might give one a bit of a start coming face to face with the serpent above when turning the corner :) I personally would have no problems at all with this beautifully executed piece, such a shame I couldn't find the artist's name.. doesn't mean it wasn't there, as with yesterday's post, the type of car was clearly shown on both back and front numbers plates, time for new specs pour moi peut être 😎 Hope you had/are still having a good weekend, happy Monday, take care and stay safe..

Visit Sami to see more Monday Murals around the world.. 

Creative cruising..

Initially I had the same appreciative reaction that most would have seeing this beauty parked in Leederville, who wouldn't admire the classic lines of the gleaming red and white 1957 Ford Ranchero.. that was a guess btw, feel free to correct me if I'm wrong :) but there's so much more to it than just the cool factor.. it is super cool! Variety Creative Car Cruise, three minute video here showing the fun they have, is just one of the events through the year raising money for Variety, the Children's Charity. the next ride for these lovelies is in March next year, that date is going on my calendar for sure! Happy Sunday, take care and stay safe..

Beyond Bling..

Just thought I'd mention that yesterday's post was a bit of tongue in cheek humour on my part, just a hole in the wall, not a piece of art at all 😉This was the exhibition we went to see at Art Gallery WA last week. I was surprised by how few pics I took. Beyond Bling is a collection 'centered on 300 varied pieces from the State Art Collection from the 1800s to today. Beyond Bling unlocks the vaults to showcase the best, the bizarre and the most sophisticated jewels in its historical and contemporary collections. Moving from bold and captivating wearable art to quiet and subtle'. If you click the BB link above there is a tres interesting short video showing how the exhibition was put together. My personal favs were the two rings below, the butterfly ring c1970 and the mid 18th century eye ring, I would definitely wear them both. Have a good weekend, take care and stay safe..

Visit James to see more Weekend Reflections from around the world..

Is it art..

.. or just another hole in the wall? I've managed to resist the last few times, but this time I failed :) While at Art Gallery WA to see a new exhibition not only was the hole in the wall still there, but the sign below.. lol, cracked me up. I so wish I had caught someone with their hand in the hole, that would have been the icing on the cake :) I'll show you the exhibition tomorrow but if I made you smile today, my job is done 😄Happy Friday, take care and stay safe..

Paris, Perth and Saigon..

There is so much building work going on in the city I'm beginning to wonder if it will ever be fini! One huge bonus for the cafes on Hay Street is the influx of hungry construction workers looking for grub.. all that constructing builds up the appetite:) In this one little spot alone on Hay street the workers in their orange jackets above in Shafto Lane seen enjoying Gami Chicken. Below Jean Pierre Sancho Patisserie to the left and to the right Saigon Vietnamese and Asian food..

.. and, if you fancy an ale to wash down your pub grub, and a lot of them did, there's the Belgian Beer Cafe below. Can't say Perth isn't cosmopolitan right!  Personally I would have been all over a coffee and ham and cheese croissant in Jean Pierre but then I'm not a construction worker :) Happy Thursday, take care and say safe..

The Hardware Store.. If a man says he...!

   After the Dogs Breakfast on Sunday we went for a more traditional breakfast of the two legged kind at The Hardware Store cafe in Scarborough. First time, probably not the last. Loved the cool industrial feel, excellent brekkie and more importantly, really good coffee :) Fun signage on the cleverly chipped walls, the one above in particular made me smile.. can anyone relate 😉 Surely it can't be Wednesday already.. where did Monday and Tuesday go! Take care and stay safe..

High Voltage..

On the exterior wall of the Little Wing Corner Gallery in Subiaco. The gallery closed back in July after a five year gig with what they described as a ' big arse shutdown party' :) The avant-garde gallery loved by artists and musicians will be missed. Will be interesting to see what the City of Subi  bit of a boring lot will do with this pink and painted gallery. Happy Tuesday, take care and stay safe.. P.s. huge catch-up today, migraines are such a pain 💥
 Visit Sami to see more Monday Murals from around the world..

Dog's Breakfast 2018..

There's one event on the doggy calendar that we never miss.. the City of Wanneroo's Dog's Breakfast and although yesterday was overcast with drizzle at times there was no stopping enthusiastic dog owners from bringing their furry family members out for a meet and greet. So many gorgeous dogs big, small and in-between..look at that sweet little King Charles spaniel below with his booties on 💙

Chatting to the gentleman below I mentioned the subject of  'do owners look like their pets', he laughed and said when this gorgeous dog sits on his lap it's hard to tell where his beard ends and the dog's coat starts :)

The shot below made me smile. I imagined the dog thinking 'yes human get money, lots of money, I need.. stuff!' 🐕

This has to be my favourite shot of the day. This dear old sweetie arrived in her pram as we were leaving, her owners explaining that she has rheumatism in her back legs but that was not going to stop her coming to enjoy watching the fun, such a sweet face. One of my favourite events, hope you enjoyed also, happy Monday, take care and stay safe..

Six birds sitting in the trees..

They are up there, among the fresh spring foliage on the tall trees in the Central Park garden, looking down on the group of young school children walking in pairs hand-in-hand with their teachers through the city. Despite all the building going on in Perth right now there are still some spots that remain a peaceful oasis amidst the chaos 🌳  Happy Sunday, take care and stay safe..

Waiting..

Good things come

to those who wait..

The lady waiting patiently above on King Street looked so pretty in her ruched skirt and stilettos, couldn't resist a quick shot. That little red bag though, it's not nearly big enough for what I carry around with me 😉 Hope you have a wonderful weekend, take care and stay safe..

How does your garden grow..

Mary, Mary quite contrary

 How does your garden grow

All the flowers, all the colours 

All in a perfect row..

In the city yesterday on a rainy day to see a new exhibition at Art Gallery WA, was sidetracked by the abundance of colourful growth in the Urban Orchard in the Perth Cultural Centre. A 'refuge for those seeking to escape the bustling Perth CBD, even for a moment in the day. It is a place to relax, to play, to meet, to harvest and learn. There are thirty assorted fruit trees (including different varieties of citrus, stone fruit, guava and olive), all under planted with culinary herbs and companion plants to attract beneficial insects'. I almost missed the two pruners amidst the growth below :) Always nice to have a look-see when in the city. Happy Friday, take care and stay safe.. P.s. I have to introduce cornflowers into my garden, aren't they the most amazing colour 💙

Toodyay encore et fini.. until the next time.

Could you find a more quintessential country town view than this! Taken from the second floor window of Connors Mill, looking over the main street to the church shown here. Following down past the church towards the line of trees in the distance is the Avon River, a tributary of the Swan River. Good spot for a flour mill oui! Built in 1870, Connors Mill produced flour of exceptionally high quality. Over the years it was re-purposed as the town power station until the State Energy Commission connected to Toodyay, left deserted for twenty years before rescued and restored by the Shire of Toodyay. Worth it for so many reasons, including the view above 💙

To the left of the mill below, the Toodyay Vistors Centre and the entrance to the mill. One of the nicest things about country towns, especially one like Toodyay where the residents are justifiably proud of their town, people will stop and chat, giving helpful directions and information.. that doesn't always happen in the city. Hope you've enjoyed this country jaunt as much as I have showing it. Happy Thursday, take care and stay safe..

A.. van!

You never know what you might find lurking behind the bushes in a country town :) Does this bring back any memories past or present for anyone? It's the first time I've seen a caravan shaped like this and wondered about the interior size and comfort level. Mon ami français on the other hand with a shrug and an 'eh' 😉 was pretty familiar with the 'A' frame, is it a European thing, an English thing? But no wait, these Avan campers are made right here in Australia. In my adult life I've only been camping in a caravan twice, how about you.. is caravanning a regular thing? Happy Wednesday, take care and stay safe..

St Stephen's Anglican Church, Toodyay..

Mon ami français Marie was delighted! An avid explorer, as soon as she spotted the open door to St Stephen's Anglican Church we were in like Flynn :) I too love exploring churches, the simplicity of country churches in particular is more appealing to me. St Stephen's was consecrated and opened for services in 1862  Have a look at St Stephen's circa 1890's, wonderful black & white image. Described as 'restrained Gothic' this delightful red brick church was one of the first buildings constructed in Toodyay and if you looked at the 1890's image earlier, all that is changed is the roof, the original shingle roof replaced by corrugated iron. Très jolie don't you think. Happy Tuesday, take care and stay safe..

Those Mona Lisa eyes..

You can always rely on a mural by Perth artist/illustrator Paul Deej, seen here many times, to brighten up a dull day. The lady with eyes that follow you from whichever way you look, found on the wall of the car park behind Fresh Provisions (incroyable store) in Mount Lawley. Why is it that the eyes in some paintings, like the Mona Lisa, follow the viewer from every aspect.. apparently it's all to do with the light, shadow and perspective.. dead clever these artistic types :) Happy Monday, take care and stay safe..

Visit Sami to see more Monday Murals from around the world..

The moments in-between..

I hardly dare mention the weather here in Perth considering the horrendous hurricanes, tornadoes and earthquakes happening around the world. In fact yesterday there was a magnitude 4.7 tremor

  in the south west of WA, three and a half hours from Perth, an aftershock from the magnitude 5.7 earthquake last month. In Perth it has been unsettled, a storm wild enough through the week to knock out our power, there is a storm blowing outside my window right now.. but in-between there have been many warm moments like this. Sunset at Hillarys Boat Harbour. Happy Sunday. Wherever you are I hope you are safe, take care..

Visit James to see more weekend Reflections here..

Newcastle Gaol Museum and Moondyne Joe..

'The Governor's son has got the pip
The Governor's got the measles
For Moondyne Joe has give 'em the slip
Pop goes the weasel'

 

The first thing that struck me about the gaol cells was the size! It took my breath away standing inside to take the shot above, below right looking in. I'm pretty sure claustrophobia, although then not recognized as a real thing, has been around forever. My head would have exploded confined to this tiny space. Newcastle Gaol Museum in Toodyay 'was built at the request of the Resident Magistrate who was enraged by Moondyne Joe’s repeated daring escapes from a previous lock-up'. Joseph Bolitho Johns aka Moondyne Joe was transported to WA in 1853 for stealing foodstuff.. harsh! Moondyne Joe, was brilliant at escaping his confines, so much so that when a special 'escape-proof' cell was built for him in Fremantle, he was promised a pardon if he managed to escape, which he did four months later :) The 'pardon' came many years later..  

The wooden shingles or they may be shakes.. hand made from split jarrah or sheoak will be renewed soon as a grant has been received to cover the cost. Will have a look when we go back for the Moodyne Festival next year, sounds like fun. Happy Saturday, take care and stay safe..

Cheers!

You might wonder what there is to see and do in the country town of Toodyay 85km north-east of Perth on a five hour day trip. If you are into the history of the towns you visit there is much to keep you busy. Have a look at the Toodyay Visitors Centre link here to see what I mean. First things first coffee! First stop off the train the Toodyay Bakery, below left, winner of the best pasty in Australia in 2016, did I mention the excellent custard tart :) P went off along the river to bird-watch while mon ami français Marie and I explored, catching up for lunch and a much needed icy cold shandy at the Freemasons Hotel, it was 26C and muggy that day, ergo the shandy 😉 More exploring and a last coffee at the Cola Cafe/Museum before jumping back on the train for the return journey. What do you think, would you enjoy a trip like this? Will show more of the town's history tomorrow. Happy Friday, take care and stay safe..